On Stage: The Gospel according to 'Godspell'

Thursday

The director of the Kings Mountain Little Theatre’s upcoming production hopes to give viewers a new and different experience.

The director of the Kings Mountain Little Theatre’s upcoming production hopes to give viewers a new and different experience.

For two weekends, the theater will perform “Godspell.” The musical premiered on Broadway in 1971 and was written by Stephen Schwarz, who also created “Wicked” and “Pippin.” It tells the parables of Jesus and profiles the last three years of his life, from his baptism to his betrayal and death. It uses memorable songs, dance, pantomime, charades, acrobatics, vaudeville and more to bring the message to the audience.

“The message of love, forgiveness and building of community inherent in ‘Godspell’ spoke to me,” director Jon Jones wrote in an email. “It is an ensemble piece with 10 characters on stage for the entire show. It doesn’t have the traditional structure people may be used to. It has a contemporary feel even after 40-plus years. I wanted to give Kings Mountain a new experience.”

Cast members are Cody Jones as Jesus; Josh Carper as John the Baptist and Judas; Tiffany Carper as Sonia; Loren Radford as Peggy; Dori Medlin as Gilmer; Claire Lemke as Robin; Jenni Hassler as Joanne; Sean Whitworth as Herb; Ryan Dever as Jeff; and Trey Ross and Lamar.

Tiffany Carper is the choreographer, and Leslie Brown is the stage manager. The musical director is Cathy Baker, and the music is led by Michael Sisk, with Sam Liss on guitar, Jerre Snow on bass and Andy Neisler on percussion.

The show contains audience favorites including “Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord,” “Day By Day” “and Learn Your Lessons Well”

“I’d like [the audience] to connect with the cast and feel that they’ve been included in the experience and learned or relearned something that will stick with them for awhile. Most important is that they enjoy it and have fun,” Jones said.

GODSPELL

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9, and 7:30 p.m. March 14 and 15